THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART 23 



The question of providing quarters for the gallery which shall 

 furnish entirely suitable conditions for the exhibition of paint- 

 ings as well as ample space to meet the requirements of the near 

 future, is now under consideration. The art interests of the 

 country, stimulated by the recent benefactions, have very 

 generally urged the immediate erection of a special building for 

 the fine art collections of the nation, arguing that such a recog- 

 nition of the subject by the Government would at once lead to 

 many and important contributions. This desire, which can 

 only be interpreted as an expression of favorable sentiment, is 

 both gratifying and propitious, but to the Institution it seems 

 best to advance with greater deliberation. The planning of a 

 building would require some time, and even though only a part 

 of it were constructed in the beginning, it is doubtful if the 

 present nucleus would be regarded as a sufficient argument for 

 the expenditure that would be called for. The fine large build- 

 ing which is now under construction for the natural history 

 departments of the Museum is the outcome of many years 

 collecting, and has been rendered imperative by the immense 

 amount of material to be preserved and exhibited. The course 

 which appears to be most justifiable at present is to fit up a 

 provisional gallery, of sufficient size to accommodate such 

 additions as may be expected within a period of several years, 

 or until some definite conclusion can be reached as to the future. 

 The Institution can furnish the requisite amount of space, and 

 it will only be necessary to adapt it to the purpose from the 

 standpoint of lighting and of wall space for hanging. As 

 described elsewhere, Mr. Charles L. Freer will provide the 

 means for erecting a special building, containing both exhibition 

 rooms and studios, to house his collection. 



In the body of this paper, which follows, the art movement on 

 behalf of the Government is discussed chronologically from the 

 establishment of the National Institute in 1840 to the present 

 time. The material used has been taken from both manuscript 

 and printed records and reports, but, owing to the incomplete- 

 ness of these, especially for the earlier years, it has so far been 

 impossible to adequately explain or account for many of the 

 older acquisitions, or to trace the disposition of several of some 

 importance which have disappeared. On the other hand, the 



